CEDAR PARK, TX —Smoothie King, the premier smoothie bar and nutritional lifestyle center in the industry, will unveil its 700th new store on Saturday morning, with a grand opening event at its new (and very first) Cedar Park location. Complimentary massages will be offered at the event.

Kids, 12 years and younger, are encouraged to participate in the “Smoothie King 700 Step Challenge,” which is designed to get youngsters to be more physically active, by taking 700 steps. Participants are given a “700 Step Challenge” card to track their progress during the week by doing things like drinking water, jumping rope and eating fruits and vegetables. Kids with completed cards can redeem them at any Smoothie King store for a free 12 oz smoothie. The most creative kid will earn the ultimate bragging rights (upon winning) of being crowned Smoothie King or Smoothie Queen and will receive special recognition through an award and free gifts.

With its store opening and challenge, Smoothie King hopes to entice Cedar Park residents to adopt healthier lifestyles by incorporating more fitness into their daily routines, and adding smoothies and healthy snacks to their diets.

Under its accelerated expansion plan, Smoothie King plans to open more than 1,000 stores across the United States over the next 3 years. The Metairie, La.-based company, which currently operates 700 units, reports it has extensive franchise opportunities available in the Southeast, mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions, as well as Texas. International development includes master franchise and corporate expansion in Korea, Singapore and Malaysia, with (50) new stores planned in Korea and (10) in Singapore in 2013.

About Smoothie King Franchises Inc. Smoothie King is the premier Smoothie Bar and Nutritional Lifestyle Center in the industry. Smoothie King offers guests the original nutritional fresh-blended smoothie and numerous other healthy retail products. Smoothie King opened its first location in 1973 in New Orleans, LA and started as the first franchised smoothie bar / health food store in the United States in 1989. Smoothie King currently has more than 600 units operating in 32 states, the Caymans and the Republic of Korea and Singapore. In 2013 Smoothie King was ranked #1 by Entrepreneur magazine in the juice bar category for the 19th year, and is ranked #104 overall on the magazine's top 500 franchise list.